Gratitude

This morning I was asked a question by my good friend Greg Troxell (Well he asked the world via his twitter feed.) (It's thanksgiving day BTW.)

"What does Thanksgiving mean to you? #question #thanks #thanksgiving"

My response to him was, " @greg_troxell: thanksgiving is a day to reflect on the attitude behind your gratitude. Active appreciation." A twitter response will only allow me to answer in a couple hundred characters so I kept it simple.

gratitude is an attitude.

Every one of us has something in our lives for which we can be thankful. The biggest issue we have is a failure to recognize and acknowledge these things. It seems easier and far more fun to spend our time focusing on the negative. (Note: I said seems.) I believe it is just as easy to focus on the good we have in our lives. The challenge is in choosing where to put your focus. On November 1, I posted a challenge.

"Write three things you are thankful for. Do this once daily for 2 weeks. See how your general attitude changes."

I didn't get many responses, but I still believe the theory is sound.

Take a few moments EVERY DAY to think of two or three things for which you should be thankful. Let yourself recognize and appreciate those things. You may be surprised to learn just how much that little exercise can change how yo

ur whole life-view can change. Research shows such an exercise can be transformational. Studies are showing that simply ch0sosing to recognize things in our lives for which we are grateful can substantially increase our overall level of co

ntentment.

So What do you have to be thankful for? Yo

u may not like you job, but you have one. You may not like your home but you have one. You may have neither home or job, but you are alive. You have something to be thankful for. Look for them and you will be surprised what you will find. So have an attitude of gratitude. Decide to be thankful for something. List them out. Write them down. Add to the list as now ones come up. You might be surprised how long your list w

ill get.

Even better... You may be surprised how much better your mood will be. How grateful are you. Use the comment section to tell me a few thing

s for which you are thankful. I'll start.

• I am thankful for a family that loves me . My lovely wife and wonderful boys.
• I am thankful for friends who get that I have an addled mind that changes directions faster than a roller coaster.
• I am most thankful for a savior who love s me in spite of me.

  

What are you thankful for?